Take a Stand - Week 3: Thursday

Matthew 26:41

Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Commentary

St. Augustine of Hippo | Letter 218, to Palatinus

The Lord has commanded us to watch and pray that we enter not into temptation. Obviously, if we could endow ourselves with this gift merely by willing it, we would not be asking it in prayer. If the will itself sufficed to protect us from temptation, we would not have to pray for it. But if we were not given a will at all, we would be unable to pray. Grant, then, that we may will it freely, praying that we may be made able by grace to do what we have willed, when by mercy we have attained to wise discernment.

Tertullian of Carthage | To The Martyrs 4.12

Let us, however, not take premature comfort in the Lord’s acknowledgment of the weakness of the flesh. For note that he declared first of all that the spirit is willing. He wanted to show which one ought to be subject to the other: the flesh is called to be submissive to the spirit, the weaker to the stronger, so that the flesh may draw strength from the spirit. Let the spirit converse with the flesh on their common salvation. Do not despair over the hardships of prison. Rather think about the eventual outcome of the contest.

Origen of Alexandria | On Prayer 29.11

We do not pray that we will never be tempted at all. For that is impossible. We pray rather that we not be encompassed by temptation.

Questions

• Spiritual warfare is inevitable in the life of every Christian. If I live knowing that my life depends on prayer, what will I do when warfare comes?

• God knows my flesh can be weak and is susceptible to temptation and sin. It is impossible to not live without temptation. God sent me His Spirit to be a guide in those times of trials and temptations. The Spirit, like the body, needs nourishment. How do I nourish the Spirit? What are the tools that God gave me through the Church to keep the Spirit nourished?